Q 01/05

What did the initialism ESPN originally stand for?

A) Entertainment and Sports Programming Network

B) Eastern Sports Production Network

C) Every Sport, Played Nightly

D) Extended Sports and Pastimes Network

Answer · why

A) Entertainment and Sports Programming Network

The full name was dropped in 1985, and the letters have stood alone ever since.

Q 02/05

In which year did ESPN launch?

A) 1979

B) 1981

C) 1983

D) 1986

Answer · why

A) 1979

The first telecast, on September 7, was the debut of SportsCenter, taped before a small studio audience.

Q 03/05

In which Connecticut town is ESPN headquartered?

A) Hartford

B) Plainville

C) Bristol

D) New Haven

Answer · why

C) Bristol

The founders first rented space in Plainville before finding land to build on.

Q 04/05

Bill Rasmussen conceived ESPN in 1978 after being fired by which team?

A) Hartford Hawks

B) New York Islanders

C) Boston Bruins

D) New England Whalers

Answer · why

D) New England Whalers

His son Scott, also let go by the WHA club, became a co-founder with Ed Eagan.

Q 05/05

Which company bought 85% of ESPN in February 1979, funding the land purchase?

A) Getty Oil

B) Texaco

C) Anheuser-Busch

D) Gulf+Western

Answer · why

A) Getty Oil

The oil company wanted to diversify, but it would not fund bids for major sports rights.